ON LINE RESOURCES

Do you have the knowledge, resources and personality to be an entrepreneur? What form should your business take? How do you take your ideas and dreams and turn them into a successful enterprise? Before starting your own business it is important to do some research, both of the marketplace and of yourself.  We recommend that you start with a self-assessment. 

Click here to find a guide to self-assessment from the Small Business Administration.

If entrepreneurship IS for you, you need not go it alone.  There are several national and local resources to assist you in additional research on starting a business, including determining the type of business you wish to begin, whether to buy an existing business, a franchise, or to start from scratch.  Start with one, or more, of the web sites listed below to begin the process of entrepreneurship in Connecticut. 

The Small Business Administration

 The SBA's Small Business Planner, has a wealth of information for entrepreneurs with checklists, helpful tips, and links to government resources, and On-line courses, some of which are free. Begin your planning on their “Get Ready” page.  Click on the "Checklist for Starting Your Business" as a first step.

Three Rivers Community College, Department of Continuing Education and Community Services, offers on-line classes covering many of the necessary skills for starting a business as well as specifics on businesses as diverse as Catering and selling on E-Bay. Click here for information on their on-line course “Start Your Own Small Business.”

If you are interested in buying a Franchise Business, the web site of the Federal Trade Commission has information on making your choice:  click on  Franchise Business to learn more. 

You can also visit the web site of the American Franchisee Association.

If you are interested in buying an existing business, read the SBA's suggestions and remember that when buying a business it is important to have legal and accounting advise before closing the deal!

CT Smart Start for Business.  This web site will guide you through business processes in CT.

LOCAL HELP

Once you have done your preliminary work on starting a business, you may find it is time to get personal advise and assistance.  The following local sources are available for guidance.

The Mitchell College Center for Entrepreneurship offers both workshops and personal counseling sessions. We highly recommend their basis course “Starting a Business in Connecticut,” to get you off on the right foot in your planning. This session is offered monthly. For all dates, visit our calendar page.

SCORE. The Service Corp of Retired Executives who are the “Counselors to America's Small Business” offer free, confidential business advise to entrepreneurs.

Three Rivers Community College offers a series of courses training Small Business.  A four session course is being offered in Spring of 2008 on the Basics of Entrepreneurship.  For information and registration, visit our calendar and search for "Business Training," or click here.

Rose City Renaissance, in cooperation with the Connecticut Community Investment Corportation (CTCIC) offers a schedule of seminars on "Starting your own Business" and on "Business Best Practices."    The RCR Business Education Initiative in an on-going program to deliver quality business services to those who wish to become active participants in the local economy.  Course are free, but may entail small charges for course material purchase.  Visit our Calendar page to see subjects, times and dates of seminars.